Fireworks at the Hollywood Bowl/photo by Fred George
The Fourth of July may be over, but the fireworks aren’t. At least that’s the case at the Hollywood Bowl on Tuesday, July 7, when the LA Philharmonic plays an all-Prokofiev concert followed by fireworks. The concert, featuring young Ukrainian conductor Kirill Karabits and pianist Vladimir Feltsman, kicks off the LA Phil’s season at its summer home.
The evening will begin with selections from Prokofiev’s “Romeo and Juliet”: “Minuet,” “Masques,” “Romeo and Juliet (Balcony Scene),” and “Death of Tybalt.” Feltsman takes the stage for the composer’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 16. A rousing “Montagues and Capulets” accompanied by fireworks caps the show.
Another special treat that evening will be the showing of the 2009 Oscar-winning animated film “Peter and the Wolf” on the Bowl’s large screens, accompanied by Prokofiev’s music. Directed by Suzie Templeton and co-produced by Hugh Welchman and Alan Dewhurst, the film was created to be accompanied by live orchestra and debuted at the Royal Albert Hall with the Philharmonia Orchestra. When Welchman conceived of the film, he actually had a Hollywood Bowl show in mind.
Violinist Joshua Bell joins Karabits and the Phil on Thursday, July 9. While that concert may not have fireworks, it will have the sparkling Bell playing Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor. The program also includes Berlioz’s “Roman Carnival” overture and Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4, “Italian.”
This week is just the beginning of the Classical Tuesdays and Classical Thursdays series. Also on tap for July are the following:
- The July 14 and 16 “Bravo Beethoven!” concerts have the “Egmont” overture, Piano Concerto No. 2, and Symphony No. 2. Paul Lewis plays piano.
- Tuesday, July 21, brings “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” and “Pictures at an Exhibition” as well as a Salonen Piano Concerto played by Juho Pohjonen.
- The Philip Glass Ensemble and the LA Master Chorale join the Phil on Thursday, July 23, for Glass’ “Koyaanisqatsi,” accompanied by the 1982 film of the same name.
- Marin Alsop conducts Mahler’s Fifth on Tuesday, July 28, and returns on Thursday, July 30, when Gil Shaham performs Beethoven’s Violin Concerto.
If fireworks are what you crave, get thee to the Bowl on Friday and Saturday, July 10 and 11, for a celebration of the music of Henry Mancini or Friday and Saturday, July 24 and 25, when Jewel and Michael Feinstein join the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra for some memorable favorites.
Concerts (yes, some with fireworks) continue through September.
For tickets, www.hollywoodbowl.com or Ticketmaster (800) 745-3000.